Allan Dewar

Nova Scotia

Shows:

Friday October 17th

Online:

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Allan's background in the Cape Breton musical tradition allowed him to accompany fiddlers like Jerry Holland for dances and ceilidhs, and also to play with new generation fiddlers like Troy MacGillivray, Andrea Beaton and Shelly Campbell.

Growing up in Halifax, Allan's first thirteen years consisted of regular visits from Dave MacIsaac and anyone else who came to the city for a Cape Breton dance. He started out on acoustic guitar, playing for his sister on fiddle and mother on piano. Around the age of 8, he began to play along on the piano while his mother would play solos or to a tape playing on the stereo. He was instructed to "do it right if you are going to do it at all" and that was all it took for encouragement. There was no formal training of any sort. Allan learned by ear and he attended every concert, dance and house party he could.

Moving to Antigonish at age 13 pushed his interest forward. It was a nerve centre at that time for fiddlers coming to town to take lessons and it was close to Cape Breton. He soon became a regular every summer playing for local dances and "filling in for a set" to give the piano player a break.

Allan has toured around the world with Jerry Holland, Ashley MacIsaac, Natalie MacMaster and Troy MacGillivray. For the past couple of years, he has worked as Music Director at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique.

I am so grateful to all for all the work that has been done to provide such a festival each and every year. The work and the pride is certainly evident in all aspects.

H Phillips

I’m sure you hear this all the time, but I’ll add to the chorus. The festival was one of the best “vacations” I’ve ever had. Your team of organizers, event planners, staffers, - everyone involved – should be extremely proud of yourselves. Thanks so very much.

Paul A, Seattle, Washington

What an outstanding thing you’ve got going on! I just wanted to express my gratitude to you all for treatimg me so well, and teaching me so much. Unforgettable. What a beautiful, beautiful island you have.

Peter McCracken, Port Townsend, WA

We had such an amazing time at Celtic Colours that we decided to stay on Cape Breton Island for another 6 weeks, and are now considering making it a regular visit each year. We only caught the last 3 days of the festival, but are extremely grateful for (staff person’s) knowledge and courtesy. We wanted to thank her for sharing her time with us, because without it, we may never have known about Celtic Colours, and thus, missed out on an amazing experience. Celtic Colours is one of the most amazing and unique music festivals we have ever attended, and we will without a doubt be returning again and again.

William A

Just watched the amazing final concert from Sydney. Last year I was over for Celtic Colours but the traveling is too much having to go Edinburgh/London/Halifax. Thank you so much for coming up with the idea of doing the live stream concerts. Well worth staying up for. Cape Breton fiddlers are awesome. You have made this girl very happy over the last 10 days.

Isobel G, October 19, near Edinburgh

To be able to view this concert and more is just heaven, thank you so much for live streaming this. My brother in Medicine Hat just sent me a note to say how much he is enjoying it and he is from Cape Breton

Brian M

I just have to say that the SOUND on the web is wonderfully loud and the EQ is perfect. That is not easy to do and I've never heard it done as well. Congrats to the audio techs on this show. You guys ROCK!!!

Tim in Dallas

Celtic Colours is my favorite time of the year and we have been there with friends for 5 years in a row but couldn't make it this year because of a knee operation. My Cape Breton Home.

Hugh

I am just filled up with fantastic memories and inspiration from Celtic Colours. It was wonderful to be back and you are all just doing an amazing job!! All the cooperation with all the other musicians was so giving.

Artist Helene Blum, Denmark

The whole experience of Artist in Residence was overwhelmingly full of incredible experiences – musically and beyond – and I will be drawing upon what I have learned for years to come. I can link nearly all of what I consider to be career highlights back to Celtic Colours. I am so excited for the new paths that this year’s experiences are leading to.

2013 Artist in Residence Kimberley Fraser

Economically it is a marvellous success, not only to the specific venue, but to other businesses and community groups in the area. Socially, the residents get together to plan, help and participate.

Barbara Downie, Judique Community Centre

The tourism sector is very pleased with the extra traffic/more sales because of Celtc Colours. The number of activities surrounding the two concerts held in Cheticamp seems to be very much appreciated. Merci beaucoup!

Lisette Aucoin-Bourgeois, La Societe Saint-Pierre, Cheticamp

This brings money into our community and our school. Honestly, this is a terrific fundraiser for us. We profit about $2,000 with everything we do.

Marie Barry, North Highland Elementary School

“We are delighted to find returning musicians who are veteran Celtic Colours visitors coming to participate in our jams and take workshops. It seems that we have a high proportion of international visitors taking our music workshops, and staying in our community for several days"